Cylinder Liner Bonding Layer for Engine Block Thermal Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in engine block assemblies is the difficulty in machining interbore bridge areas without damaging cutting tools due to smaller bore spacing, leading to poor thermal conductivity and bore distortion, especially when cylinder liners are present, as existing bonding methods fail to provide adequate mechanical and physical bonding.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder liner with a bonding layer of aluminum-based material applied to its outside surface, featuring a varying diameter design to enhance bonding with the engine block, improving thermal conductivity and mechanical connection, and allowing for increased machining space without damaging tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If the bore spacing is reduced to make the engine smaller and lighter, then the engine mass and packaging size are reduced, but the interbore bridge area becomes too small to machine cooling slots without damaging cutting tools or cylinder liners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine massVSAvoidmachining of interbore bridge
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by turning down the outside surface of the cylinder liners before machining operations. This creates additional clearance space in the interbore bridge regions, allowing cooling slots to be machined without the cutting tools contacting the cylinder liners, thus preventing tool damage and scrappage while maintaining the reduced engine size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by selectively reducing the outside diameter of the cylinder liner only in the interbore bridge regions where machining is required. The cylinder liner maintains its full diameter in other areas where structural integrity and bonding are critical, thus providing local geometric variation to enable machining without compromising overall liner function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the outside surface of the cylinder liner is turned down to create space for machining, then machining space is increased, but thermal conductivity and mechanical bonding between the cylinder liner and engine block deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining of cooling slotsVSAvoidthermal conductivity and mechanical bonding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively reducing the outside diameter of the cylinder liner only in the interbore bridge regions where machining is required. The cylinder liner maintains its full diameter in other areas where structural integrity and bonding are critical, thus providing local geometric variation to enable machining without compromising overall liner function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by using a bimetallic construction with a steel cylinder liner bonded to an aluminum engine block. This composite structure provides the necessary thermal conductivity and mechanical bonding strength, with the steel liner offering durability and the aluminum block providing lightweight construction and heat dissipation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the cylinder liner is tightly bonded to the engine block for thermal conductivity, then thermal performance is improved, but the interbore bridge area is reduced making machining difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidmachining of interbore bridge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by turning down the outside surface of the cylinder liners before machining operations. This creates additional clearance space in the interbore bridge regions, allowing cooling slots to be machined without the cutting tools contacting the cylinder liners, thus preventing tool damage and scrappage while maintaining the reduced engine size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by selectively reducing the outside diameter of the cylinder liner only in the interbore bridge regions where machining is required. The cylinder liner maintains its full diameter in other areas where structural integrity and bonding are critical, thus providing local geometric variation to enable machining without compromising overall liner function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved bonding and thermal conductivity between the cylinder liner and engine block, reducing bore distortion and increasing machining space, thus addressing the challenges of smaller engine designs while maintaining performance.

Implementation Method 1

The bonding layer formed of an aluminum-based material is applied to the outside surface along the first portion of the liner member... provides improved bonding and thermal conductivity between the cylinder liner and engine block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3021998B1Engine block assembly and method of manufacturing the engine block assembly
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 FEDERAL MOGUL LLC
  • EP3021998B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3021998B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3021998B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A cylinder liner for an engine block assembly of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cylinder liner includes a liner member formed of cast iron and presenting an outer surface. A first portion of the outer surface of the liner member is machined to a reduced outside diameter. An aluminum-based material is then thermally sprayed onto the machined first portion, while a second portion of the outer surface remains uncoated. The coated cylinder liner is then placed in a mold, and another aluminum-based material is cast around the coated cylinder liner to form the engine block assembly. During the casting process, the two aluminum-based materials form a strong intermetallic bond between the liner member and the engine block.